Steaming-tube plug



April 24, 1928. 1,667,396

w. e. SHELTON STEAMING TUBE PLUG Filed Dec. 19, 1927 l I a 5 5 1 L. L z 6 G 272% G 6 Q FIG.- 3

FlG.4-. FIG. 2

FIG. InuenZor MM; & 026/7277 B 7 M y M W i atented Apr. 24, 1928.

- UNITEDSTATES,

1 1,667,396 PATENT oF cE;

"WILLIAM G, snnmomor srtLoors, MIssoURI.

" S'IE AM ING-TUBE PLUG.

Application .flled December 19, 1927. 4 Serial No. 241,107.

My invention relates to equipment utilized in hair wavingand consists n a novel device for sealing the end of a steaming tube next to the scalp otthe person whose hair is being waved. a

In one process of waving the hair, it is customaryto use a steaming tube formed of foitand surrounding an strand of hair wrapped aroundacurling rod, there being a moisture containing element of absorbent material either wrappedyabout the hair in the hair, it is moistened and,

dependently of thetube or includedin the tube structure within the 6 layer or foil. \Vhen the absorbent material is applied. to when the tube is heated, steam is created. It is desirable to prevent the escape of, the steam from the tube and particularly to prevent the escape of the steam, or hot water formed vby the condensingoft-he steam, through the" end of the tubewhich is adjacent to the scalp of the person way of closing the end of the tubehas been to crimp the sides together, either with the fingers or by ,useof a plier-like crimper.

, Such-closure of the end of'the tube is not always certainand, if a passage isleft for the escape of steam or condensation, the user may be scalded. The tube must be crimped at a point spaced from its end, hence the strand of hair cannot always becrimped as near to the scalp asmay be desired. Since flannel or blotting paper, usually utilized for the absorbent material, does not retain its form when crimped, it is customary to ter-' minate the latter at some distance from the end of the foil and, as this leaves the foil free to contact directly with the hair, there is created the possibility of burning the hair in the event of the foil becoming a conductor of the electric current supplied to the heater. c

The object of my invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages and to provide a simple and efficient plug for the purpose indicated. 6

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate a selected embodiment of my inventionv I Figure 1 is an illustration of a steaming tube applied to a strand of hair with my improved plug assembled therewith.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the plug.

whose hair is being waved. One

the bottom and near the upper open end of the plug are conical in shape, as indicated at 3, to more readily permit insertion of the plug into the open endof a steaming tube 4'and to slightly spread the end of the tube so as to form a tightjoint between the same and, the plug.

Thesteaming tube 4 is shown as consisting of several layers of foil and absorbent materlal, suchas blottingpaper or flannel, and

for the purpose of clearly illustrating the use of my invention, the thicknesses of these layers are magnified in the tion of Figure 1, y

The :side of the plug is provided with a longitudinal slot ,5 extending from the open end of the plug tothe inner bottom thereof and the bottom of the plug is provided with sectioned por- -a notch 6 in linewith slot 5. The slot 5 and notch-6 provide a passage-way for the v i portion 7 of astrand of hair between the scalp 8 and a curling rod 10 about which the hair is wound.

[Preferably the sides of slot 5 converge" near the lower end of the slot and notch 6,

is so shallow that a portion of the strand of hair will project beyond the'si'de of the plug thereby eliminating the likelihood of any open passage-way between the hairs of the strand or between the strand and the side of the steaming tube.

I have illustrated the use of a felt washer 8 and a fibre clip 9 about the strand of hair below 1 the steaming tube. These elements are in general use and form no part of my present lnvention. Theylhave been relied upon heretofore to protect the scalp from ,fluids leaking from the tube. The closing of the tube has been attempted by crimping the lower end similarlyto the crimping of the upperend illustrated. My plug closure of the lower end of the tube bar more effectively seals the latter than the crimping operation. c

It will be noted that the inner bottom of vention not only in the preferred form i1lus- V strated, but in such modified forms as come within the scope of my claims.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a hair waving steaming tube comprising a cup-shaped plug with a longitudinally disposed slot in its side adapted to receive a strand of hair.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a'

closure for a hair waving steaming tube comprising a cup-shaped plug, the side wall of which is conically shaped near the upper end to facilitate insertion into the endof a steaming tube to spread and seal the same, there being an opening in said side wall adapted to receive a strand of hair.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a hair waving steamin tube comprising a cup-shaped plug, the side wall of which is conically shaped near the upper end to facilitate insertion into the end of a steaming tube to spread and seal the same,

there being an opening in said side wall near the bottom of the cup adapted to permit the passage therethrough of a strand of hair.

4:. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a hair waving steaming tube comprising a cup-shaped plug, the side wall of which is conically shaped near the upper end to facilitate insertion into the end of the steaming tube and to more readily form a tight joint between the plug and the tube, said side wall being provided with a slot extending from the open end of the cup to a point near the bottom .ofthe cup and converging near said point, the edge of said bottom having a notch in line with said slot, said slot and notch being adapted to receive a strand of hair. 1

5. As a new article of manufacture, a closure for a hair waving steaming tube comprising a cup-shaped plug'of rigid material having a cylindrical side wall adjacent its bottom and a conical side Wall adjacent its open end, said cup being adapted to receive the lower end of a curling rod and a strand of hair Wound around the same, and said sidewall being provided with a slot extending longitudinally of the cup and adapted to receive and compress the strand of hair betweenthe curling rod and the scalp.

6. In combination, a hair waving steaming tube and a-plug inserted in the end of said tube whichgoes next to the scalp, said plug being tapered to tightly fit the tube and provided with an openingadjacent to the end of said tube for'receiving a strand of hair belng waved.

7. In combination, a hair waving steaming tube formed of multiple layers of absorbent material, and a plug inserted into the end of said tube which goes'next to the scalp, said plug being tapered to enter the tube and compress the material of the latter to form; a tight joint therewith, said plug being provided with an opening adjacent to its lower end-for permitting the passage therethrough of a strand of hair being waved. 1

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this 15th day of November, 1927.

WILLIAM G. SHELTON. 

